But the change had little impact as Everton continued to dominate and Sunderland's unfamiliar defence struggled to deal with their opponents' aerial threat.

Cahill almost notched a second but he directed a header straight at the keeper after Louis Saha easily beat Nosworthy in the air.

Nosworthy then did well to block a Saha shot before Baines blasted a free-kick into the arms of Gordon.

Sunderland finally mustered a chance of their own in first-half injury time but a stretching Jones couldn't make proper contact with Bolo Zenden's dangerous cross.

Everton remained in control after the break and only desperate last-ditch defending kept Sunderland in the game.

First, McCartney superbly cleared off the line after Donovan latched on to Cahill's pass and rounded Gordon.

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Moyes happy with consistent form

Moments later, John Mensah's perfectly-timed challenge denied Saha a clear run at goal.

Leon Osman then dragged a shot wide after being set up by Donovan, while Jones fired well off target from outside the box on one of Sunderland's rare forays upfield.

The Black Cats finally managed to trouble Tim Howard in the dying minutes. The Everton goalkeeper did well to palm a fierce drive from Zenden round the post and then tipped over a powerful header from Jones.

But the late flurry proved to be in vain for Sunderland, who are now without a win in nine league games and find themselves alarmingly embroiled in a relegation battle.

Everton manager David Moyes on Landon Donovan "I thought in his first two games he did really well against Arsenal and Manchester City, which is not easy.

"He has not had many chances in those games but tonight he got his first one and he took it.

"He has a great goalscoring record in America - I think it is one in two - and he deserved that tonight."

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce "We didn't defend properly and we have to show a better attitude.

"We've been talking the last few days about Tim Cahill arriving late in the box and six minutes in we allow him a free header.

"We have now got back-to-back home games which will define our season - we must get results in those games."

87:41 Paulo Da Silva produces a cross, Boudewijn Zenden takes a shot. Save made by Tim Howard. Corner taken by Boudewijn Zenden
from the left by-line to the near post, Mikel Arteta manages to make a clearance.

86:28 The ball is swung over by George McCartney, save by Tim Howard.

85:30 The ball is sent over by Boudewijn Zenden, clearance made by Leon Osman. Corner taken by Andy Reid, Marouane Fellaini makes
a clearance.

83:41 John Mensah concedes a free kick for a foul on James Vaughan. Mikel Arteta takes the direct free kick.

79:30 Kenwyne Jones has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

78:15 Andy Reid takes a shot. Save by Tim Howard.

77:55 James Vaughan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on John Mensah. Craig Gordon takes the direct free kick.

76:48 Substitution Louis Saha leaves the field to be replaced by James Vaughan.

Correction - 74:37 Substitution Mikel Arteta replaces Landon Donovan.

74:37 Substitution Mikel Arteta on for Landon Donovan.

74:09 The ball is swung over by Boudewijn Zenden, clearance by Johnny Heitinga.

73:58 The ball is swung over by Boudewijn Zenden, clearance by Phil Neville.

72:49 Centre by George McCartney, clearance made by Marouane Fellaini. Boudewijn Zenden takes the outswinging corner, clearance
by Johnny Heitinga. Boudewijn Zenden takes a outswinging corner to the near post, clearance by Sylvain Distin.

Correction - 72:09 Outswinging corner taken by Boudewijn Zenden from the left by-line.

46:37 The ball is swung over by Leighton Baines, clearance made by Matthew Kilgallon.

46:03 The referee blows for offside against Darren Bent. Indirect free kick taken by Johnny Heitinga.

45:01 The referee gets the second half started.

45:01 Substitution Andy Reid comes on in place of Lee Cattermole.

Half Time

45:00+1:28 The whistle is blown to end the first half.

45:00+0:20 The ball is delivered by Boudewijn Zenden.

43:38 Lee Cattermole concedes a free kick for a foul on Marouane Fellaini. Leighton Baines produces a shot on goal direct from the
free kick, save by Craig Gordon.

42:59 A cross is delivered by Phil Neville, clearance made by George McCartney.

41:33 Louis Saha takes a shot. Blocked by John Mensah. Corner from the left by-line taken by Landon Donovan, clearance by Kenwyne
Jones. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Landon Donovan from the right by-line, Lorik Cana manages to make a clearance.

41:04 A cross is delivered by George McCartney, clearance made by Leighton Baines.

40:30 Centre by Boudewijn Zenden, save by Tim Howard.

39:36 John Mensah crosses the ball, Phil Neville manages to make a clearance.

39:07 John Mensah fouled by Tim Cahill, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Nyron Nosworthy.

36:52 Tim Cahill takes a shot. Save by Craig Gordon.

35:16 Leighton Baines sends in a cross, clearance made by Nyron Nosworthy.

34:54 Landon Donovan produces a cross, Jordan Henderson manages to make a clearance.

33:50 Unfair challenge on Tim Cahill by George McCartney results in a free kick. Phil Neville restarts play with the free kick.

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